atheist \ chaplain \ humanist \ military
As endorsers and related agencies, you oversee and direct chaplains who interact with atheists and humanists daily. The primary purpose of this open letter is to invite chaplain endorsing agencies to agree in principle to the Minimum Statement of Support, a basic statement of equal access for nontheists:
“Nontheistic service members including atheists, agnostics, humanists, freethinkers, and others identifying as nontheists serve honorably within our nation’s military. Chaplains should support nontheistic service members with the same enthusiasm, resources, and services that they provide for theistic service members. Leaders should not use their position to influence individuals or the chain of command to adopt the leader’s own personal religion. These are minimum standards of conduct to which all service members, especially chaplains and commanders, should adhere.”
We as atheists and humanists are reaching out to help military chaplains to better understand nontheists in uniform.
atheist \ chaplain \ humanist \ military
The Stiefel Freethought Foundation has expanded its support of freethinkers in the military by offering a $50,000 challenge to the Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers. Donations from current military and veterans to MAAF will be matched dollar-for-dollar for a limited time. Now is the time to give. Your support is needed and makes a significant […]
atheist \ chaplain \ humanist \ military
The NY Times covered MAAF efforts to endorse humanist chaplains. MAAF operates a chaplain outreach program with opportunities for candidates to opt into the program. Media including Alan Colmes, Mike Smerconish, and Michael Medved on Fox News, Lockwood Phillips, Canada TV, the BBC, and Sirius. International media including US, Europe, and Egypt have taken notice. Religious […]
atheist \ chaplain \ humanist \ military
Local groups are starting on post as a result of local leaders agreeing to stand up and stand out. There are 17 current organizations, 7 of which are working through the chaplains for greater assistance. There have been delays, but no direct opposition as yet. Local groups at military academies, major US and international installations, […]
atheist \ chaplain \ humanist \ military
MAAF has selected 32 articles of interest in the areas of atheism & humanism in the media and military and church-state separation. Humanist chaplains and local military atheist groups were most prominent in the news, and there are separate entries about those items. The current Executive Officer of Naval Station Great Lakes denied the service […]